From the Guidelines
For asthma management, Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) should be used as a maintenance controller medication taken twice daily, usually 1-2 inhalations in the morning and evening, with dosages ranging from 80/4.5 to 160/4.5 mcg per inhalation depending on asthma severity, while Airsupra (albuterol) serves as a rescue inhaler, taken as needed for sudden symptoms, generally 2 inhalations per use with a maximum of 8 inhalations per day, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1.
Key Points for Asthma Management
- Symbicort provides long-term control through its anti-inflammatory corticosteroid (budesonide) and long-acting bronchodilator (formoterol) 1.
- Airsupra delivers quick relief with its short-acting bronchodilator (albuterol) 1.
- It's essential to use Symbicort consistently every day, even when feeling well, to reduce inflammation and prevent asthma attacks over time 1.
- Airsupra should only be used when experiencing symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath 1.
Important Considerations
- Always rinse your mouth after using Symbicort to prevent thrush 1.
- Keep track of how often you need Airsupra, as increasing use may indicate your asthma is not well controlled and your maintenance therapy may need adjustment 1.
Dosage and Administration
- Symbicort: 1-2 inhalations twice daily, with dosages ranging from 80/4.5 to 160/4.5 mcg per inhalation depending on asthma severity 1.
- Airsupra: 2 inhalations per use, with a maximum of 8 inhalations per day, as needed for sudden symptoms 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
If asthma symptoms arise in the period between doses, an inhaled, short-acting beta2-agonist should be taken for immediate relief. Patients using BUDESONIDE AND FORMOTEROL FUMARATE DIHYDRATE INHALATION AEROSOL should not use additional LABA for any reason [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3,5.12)].
The recommended regimen for using Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) and Airsupra (albuterol) for asthma management is to use Symbicort as a maintenance medication, taking 2 inhalations twice daily, and to use Airsupra as a rescue medication for immediate relief of asthma symptoms that arise between doses. Do not use Airsupra as a replacement for Symbicort, but rather as a supplement to provide quick relief when needed 2.
From the Research
Asthma Regimen with Symbicort and Airsupra
- The recommended regimen for using Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) and Airsupra (albuterol) for asthma management involves using Symbicort as a maintenance therapy and Airsupra as a reliever therapy 3, 4.
- Symbicort is a combination product that contains both budesonide, a corticosteroid, and formoterol, a long-acting beta2-agonist, which have complementary effects in treating asthma 3, 5.
- The use of Symbicort as both maintenance and reliever therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of severe asthma exacerbations and improving daily asthma control 4, 6.
- Studies have demonstrated that Symbicort is more effective than high-dose inhaled corticosteroids alone in improving lung function and reducing the use of reliever medication 7.
- The combination of budesonide and formoterol in a single inhaler provides a convenient and simplified treatment approach, allowing for immediate additional anti-inflammatory medication in response to asthma symptoms and immediate step-down when symptoms abate 6.
Key Considerations
- Symbicort should be used as a maintenance therapy, with Airsupra used as a reliever therapy as needed 3, 4.
- The dosage of Symbicort can be adjusted based on the patient's response to treatment, with once- or twice-daily dosing effective for patients with mild or moderate asthma 5.
- The use of Symbicort as both maintenance and reliever therapy has been shown to be well-tolerated, with an incidence of adverse events similar to that of conventional regimens 6.